The travel ban contains exemptions for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, including spouses, legal guardians and dependants. New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents will also be exempt, as will New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. The government says exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply.

The government is in discussions with airlines about continuing some international flights for the purpose of bringing Australians back from overseas, and for continuing the movement of goods and freight.

The RBA on Thursday committed to providing a three-year funding facility worth at least $90bn – a measure that will allow banks to lend to small business through the economic downturn. The government unveiled a synchronised measure allocating another $15bn so small banks and credit unions can supply low-cost loans to consumers and small business.

Mr Joyce admitted the airline might have to go deeper with its previously announced 60 per cent cut to the domestic operation as well in light of Tasmania imposing self-isolation restrictions on non-essential travellers.

“We made decisions on the schedule on Tasmania yesterday and, today, it is very different,” Mr Joyce said. “We’ll have to adjust them because there will be less demand and there will have to be capacity and aircraft coming out.”

Chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson was hopeful to announce the financing sometime over the next week, and Mr Joyce said lenders know Qantas is not at risk of collapsing.

“Qantas will not be going under — I think the lenders know that,” Mr Joyce said. “We have one of the healthiest balance sheets out there so we will have plenty of liquidity to last a very, very long time.”